dyton mupawaenda
Eddie Chikamhi-Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS Utd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
Scottland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 2
NEW CAPS United goalkeeper Harmony Nare produced some stunning moments at Rufaro yesterday, but his heroics were not enough to stop newly-promoted side Scottland from claiming victory in a riveting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match.
Plucked from Division One side ZPC Hwange, the giant goalkeeper was outstanding all afternoon with sophisticated shot-stopping techniques, his ability to play the ball, excellent ball distribution, and the brimming confidence.
Nare played like a veteran in the top-flight league, although this was only his second outing in the Green Machine colours.
However, the star-studded new boys Scottland, despite missing a glut of scoring opportunities, still found a way to subdue the giants in front of a big and appreciative crowd at Rufaro.
Second-half goals from Namibian Sadney Urikhob and Tymon Machope handed the Mabvuku side their second win in as many games.
Coach Tonderai Ndiraya was elated to see his team displaying better football compared to the season-opening match against Triangle, in which they scrapped a 1-0 win at the same venue last week.
“I am very excited,” he said.
“We were playing a very good team. If you play against a good team, a big team for that matter, and then you get a result, a very comfortable result, then that means you are doing well.
“So, yeah, I want to congratulate the boys. The boys did very well today. If you recall, I said these boys needed recovery. The past week, the boys were just recovering.
“And we saw the performance today; completely different from the Triangle game. It was an improved performance.
“It’s only the second game in the Premier League. And if you put up a performance like this, what more can you ask from the team?”
Warriors coach Michael Nees and his assistant Takesure Chiragwi, who are this week expected to call their squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying games against Benin and Nigeria, were part of the crowd at Rufaro. Ndiraya yesterday welcomed his star midfielder Khama Billiat and Mthokozisi Msebe, who have just returned from injury, and the duo put in a decent shift, with Billiat providing the assist for the first goal soon after the resumption.
Scottland were guilty of squandering numerous scoring opportunities, with Panashe Mutimbanyoka the main culprit.
But that is not to take away anything from CAPS United’s new goalkeeper Nare for making a string of brilliant saves that kept the scoreline decent.
Machope eventually broke the ice in the 47th minute with a cool finish after receiving a good pass from Billiat inside the box.
CAPS United tried to claw back into the game, but Scottland goalkeeper Talbert Shumba at least twice kept the home team at bay in the latter stages of the game after denying Jayden Bakari in a one-on-one situation as well as parrying out substitute Juan Mutudza’s effort in a crowded box late on.
Scottland’s second-half substitute, Urikhob, killed off the game in added time after receiving the ball from fellow substitute Albert Manenji.
Makepekepe found themselves outnumbered inside their own box, and there was not much that Nare could do to stop the visitors from doubling their lead.
Green Machine coach Lloyd Chitembwe rued the defensive shortcomings that resulted in his team conceding goals.
“I thought it was a decent game, decent performances from both teams. I thought we could have done better in terms of the output, which is the result,” Chitembwe said.
“As far as the goals we conceded, I thought we could have done much better to try and avoid that.
“Both goals were out of some defensive errors. I’m looking at the first goal, how we conceded that goal. Loss of possession in the middle of the park.
“We never recovered from there. I’m sure it was after a series of 3-4-5 passes that they ended up scoring. That’s not permissible in serious football.
“I thought we could have done much better in that scenario. The second goal, I thought the situation was four versus two. We could not contain the two opponents in our box.
“That again is not permissible. I think it was as a result of two very serious mistakes. That’s how we lost the game,” said Chitembwe.
Teams
CAPS Utd: Harmony Nare, Bruce Kangwa, Brian Kadamanja, Hastings Chapusha, Eric Manokore, Rodwell Chinyengetere (N. Chintuli, 61st min), Kundai Benyu (T. Matindife, 81st min), Tanaka Shandirwa (J. Mutudza, 61st min), Junior Bunjira (J. Mbollo, 61st min), Phineas Bamusi, Jayden Bakari
Scottland: Talbert Shumba, Godknows Murwira (G. Madhake, 63rd min), Ronald Pfumbidzai, Kelvin Moyo, Peter Muduhwa, Frederick Ansa-Botchway, Walter Musona (S. Urikhob, 76th min), Khama Billiat (M. Tapera, 63rd min), Mthokozisi Msebe, Panashe Mutimbanyoka (A. Manenji, 87th min), Tymon Machope (Vassili Kawe, 76th min)
Online Reporter